Surrounded by the tallest mountains in Thailand, Northern Thailand is cooler than the rest of the usually sweltering country and thus particularly popular in December and January. In the mountains at night temperatures occasionally dip below freezing, although in the plains the daily average is rarely less than 25 Centigrade.

Culturally, Northern Thailand shows heavy influences from the neighboring cultures of Myanmar and Yunnan (China). The kingdoms of Lanna (centered at Chiang Mai) and Sukhothai were the first historical Thai nations.

Much of northern Thailand was for a long time off limits due to a series of Communist insurgencies and Myanmar's drug battles and civil wars spilling over the border. Both problems have been largely resolved, although caution is still advised near the border with Myanmar in the provinces of Tak and Mae Hong Son.

The people of Northern Thailand speak their own dialect of Thai called Kham Meaung (or Kham Muang; คำเมือง), however standard Thai is widely understood. In addition, the hill tribes speak their own languages.

Here and there, especially at temples, you may spot signs written in a curious rounded script that looks more like Burmese than Thai. This is Lanna, the ancient script of the Lanna kingdom, and while very few people can read or write it anymore, it's still popular in ceremonial usage.

There is an extensive bus network with the main backbone being between Bangkok and Chiang Mai. From Chiang Mai, buses head north-west to Mae Hong Son and Pai, and further north to Chiang Rai.
Bus from phitsanulok to mae hong son

There are many car rental companies but driving in Thailand is not for the faint hearted. The driving etiquette and rules take some getting used to. The rural parts of northern Thailand are mountainous, and whilst most main roads are in good condition and asphalt covered, there can be some sharp and steep curves to navigate especially in Mae Hong Son.
A driver can be added onto the daily rental for only a few hundred baht extra per day. This takes the stress out of driving, so you can enjoy the ride.

Northern Thailand has some of the best biking roads in the world, which pass through some stunning scenery. For the more adventurous traveller the best way to explore the area is by motorbike. There are a number of places in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai where one can hire bikes or you can use a tour company to remove all the 'red tape' freeing you to simply enjoy your vacation.

The rolling hills and sweeping mountains, lush green forests and nature, are some of the visual delights of Northern Thailand.

The mix of ethnic people such as the hill tribes, Shan (Tai Yai), Burmese and mainland Thais make it a rich melting pot of cultures. The rich cultural and historical tapestry of Northern Thailand one of the most authentic places to visit in Thailand.

North Thailand also shares many borders with Myanmar and Laos, so its possible to see these borders or even visit for the day. Such as at the Golden Triangle, the meeting point of 3 countries (Thailand,Laos,Myanmar) on the confluence of the Mekong River.

Temples in Chiang Mai and historical sites in Sukhothai are the major cultural attractions of Northern Thailand, the birthplace of Thai civilization. When invaders pushed a Thai prince from Chiang Saen and the Golden Triangle in 1015, he moved his court to Kampangphet, a city that coalesced into the Thai Sukothai kingdom battling Ankor kings for control of the Thai plains, and then a key plank in Thai defence against Burmese invasion.

Trekking is one of the main attractions in northern Thailand, there are trekking tours suiting everybody's needs. From one-day-all-inclusive to tours which last several days you can choose whatever fits you best. Many tours include rafting and elephant riding.

Volunteering is a great way to experience the real culture of north Thailand as it exposes you to local people and children, and often offers the traveller a chance to live in a Thai community for anywhere between a few days and a few months.

Hill tribes are another major attraction. There are approx 7 main hill tribe groups (Akha, Lisu, Lahu, Yao, Hmong, Karen and Lawa) who migrated from neighbouring China, Tibet and Myanmar to the rural highlands of northern Thailand. Their traditional way of life as farmers in the mountains is a fascination to many travellers in the region.

There are touristic hill tribe villages in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, which have been visibly set up for the purpose of tourism, requiring an entrance fee and with villagers selling souvenirs. These are widely advertised as part of 1day package tours from Chiang Mai.

Or there are 'Hill tribe trekking' package tours from 1-5days are available. This involves walking in the forest, visiting hill tribe villages and may include elephant riding and rafting. These will mostly be a very commercial and 'canned' experience, a few tour operators and providers do offer more authentic experiences.

To visit authentic hill tribe villages, the best way is to hire a local guide and your own transport. This will allow you to venture off the main tourist trail where you will find there are many hill tribes still living traditionally.

Whilst some operators attempt to limit the damage by restricting the number of visitors and employing local hill tribesmen as guides, the competition is tough and many simply aim to minimise costs and maximise profits.
However some ethical operators include:
Thailand Hilltribe HolidaysThe Trekking Collective

A bowl of khao soi kai, with pickled cabbage and lime to add to taste, in Chiang Rai

Northern Thai food is somewhat different to that eaten in the rest of the country. Northerners prefer sticky rice over steamed, bitter flavours to hot ones, and avoid using coconut milk. The favoured meat is pork, which finds it way into a variety of sausages (cooked or fermented) and whose skin is fried as the ubiquitous snack khaep muu. The traditional way of sampling Northern food is a low round table known as a khan tok, laden with dishes. Some favorites include:

kaeng hang le - a Burmese-style pork curry

kaeng khae - a soupy curry flavored with bitter herbs

khao soi - a curry noodle soup reputedly of Burmese origin much favored in Chiang Mai, served with shallots, lime and pickles to add as you like

While the larger towns (Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phitsanulok) offer a broad range of accommodation, in the smaller villages the tourist has to refer to guest houses and smaller hotels. Prices are usually lower than in Bangkok. Booking ahead (using the Internet or travel agencies) may give you better rates at some hotels.